snowyowl
Well-known member
I very recently returned from a trip to Ontario, specifically Cambridge. While I was there I took a walk (birding actually) through the Regional Forest.
The area that I'm referring to is on Highway 24A (Sprague Road) between Cambridge and Pinehurst Conservation Area.
As I walked through the forest, a saw and heard a lot of Red Squirrels. At one point, as I passed several mid-sized poplars, I disturbed an animal in one of the trees. I saw and heard the movement as it jumped from one tree to the next. I heard a quick chatter. I didn't see the animal but assumed another squirrel. After I had gone a litttle further, it occurred to me that the squirrel hadn't scolded me, as they almost always do, so I went back.
What I saw was a dark brown, almost black, mammal, about 24" long, clinging very closely against the tree trunk. It was about 20' up. I couldn't see the head because of vegetation. It immediately sprang to another tree and moved off through the forest. The sighting was at the edge of a wet area with lots of snags, downed trees etc.
My conclusion was Pine Marten, one of the few Canadian largish mammals that I hadn't seen.
If this had occurred in northern or eastern Ontario, no problem, I would simply been pleased with the sighting. It seems to me that Pine Martens are probably not common in Southern Ontario and, if my id. is correct, this probably should be reported. The catch is that the Pine Marten behavour that is described in books doesn't match what I saw. The books say that Martens are curious and alert. Pictures all show Martens looking boldly at the camera. My animal was molded against the tree and fled as soon as it realized that I had spotted it. I would also have expected it to be in an area of coniferous trees rather than in the mixed forest.
I've tried to contact a local naturalist's organization and plus Gov. depts to ask but so far haven't had any replies. I would appreciate any comments on this sighting especially from anyone who is familiar with the wildlife of Southern Ontario. :h?:
The area that I'm referring to is on Highway 24A (Sprague Road) between Cambridge and Pinehurst Conservation Area.
As I walked through the forest, a saw and heard a lot of Red Squirrels. At one point, as I passed several mid-sized poplars, I disturbed an animal in one of the trees. I saw and heard the movement as it jumped from one tree to the next. I heard a quick chatter. I didn't see the animal but assumed another squirrel. After I had gone a litttle further, it occurred to me that the squirrel hadn't scolded me, as they almost always do, so I went back.
What I saw was a dark brown, almost black, mammal, about 24" long, clinging very closely against the tree trunk. It was about 20' up. I couldn't see the head because of vegetation. It immediately sprang to another tree and moved off through the forest. The sighting was at the edge of a wet area with lots of snags, downed trees etc.
My conclusion was Pine Marten, one of the few Canadian largish mammals that I hadn't seen.
If this had occurred in northern or eastern Ontario, no problem, I would simply been pleased with the sighting. It seems to me that Pine Martens are probably not common in Southern Ontario and, if my id. is correct, this probably should be reported. The catch is that the Pine Marten behavour that is described in books doesn't match what I saw. The books say that Martens are curious and alert. Pictures all show Martens looking boldly at the camera. My animal was molded against the tree and fled as soon as it realized that I had spotted it. I would also have expected it to be in an area of coniferous trees rather than in the mixed forest.
I've tried to contact a local naturalist's organization and plus Gov. depts to ask but so far haven't had any replies. I would appreciate any comments on this sighting especially from anyone who is familiar with the wildlife of Southern Ontario. :h?:
